Iconic Redlands pubs drowning in costs as state crawls to new restrictions amid health hazards
Two southeast Queensland pubs that have stood the test of time battle are like ghost towns as they call on the Premier to lift restrictions decimating their business.
Redlands Coast
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REDLANDS pubs caught in a “surreal” nightmare of limited trading or complete shutdown are desperate for restrictions to be lifted.
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With a coronavirus record the envy of the world publicans are gnashing at the bit to open doors properly as venues stagnate while costs mount.
Four generations of Hogans have manned the taps at Hogan’s Wellington Point but none have experienced a shock as deep as the current standstill.
While thankful for the state’s stellar health record, owner Scott Hogan told a distressing tale.
Proactive from the start Hogan’s offered takeaway meals only a week after March restrictions ground much of the hospitality industry to a halt.
But even with a forward-thinking attitude and a bottle shop to carry the load the much-loved venue was haemorrhaging cash.
The sprawling venue, capable of accommodating hundreds of patrons, is currently limited to 10 after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk enacted stage one restrictions on May 15.
Stage two restrictions, planned for June 12, may up the count to 20 or 50 patrons but even with those numbers proprietors fear the going will be tough given the sheer costs of trading.
“These are big animals, they are big beasts to turn on and that is why so many are still shut,” Mr Hogan said.
“We really need more pressure put on this premier so she can open it up.
“It is ridiculous having these big venues sitting idle – our power bill, even during limited training was $6,000 for the month; our insurance was $7,000 all without any money coming in.”
Mr Hogan said the speed and scope of the shutdown was jarring and the limited trading practices they have to adhere to currently were perplexing to some.
“It is a surreal feeling at the moment; people don’t understand all the restrictions.
“They are happy that we are back but disappointed that we are not fully operational.
“There is a lot of things that we can’t do and people coming back have an expectation that everything will just be as it was.
“But we don’t have Fox Sports on, we don’t have particular music channels on just because the cash flow, with ten people is just not there.
“So it is tough, we can’t wait to open properly – it is harder to deal with 10 people than it is for 200.”
The macabre stillness of a usually teeming venue in Cleveland tells of similar woe.
The Grand View Hotel, built in 1851 and the state’s oldest such licensed venue, has all the life of a ghost town.
Manager Mat Sackman struggled to get used to the shutdown.
“It is extremely quiet; it has been very peaceful around here,” he said.
“I feel more like an inn keeper than anything else.
“Yeah, it is a ghost town; one person and a possum possibly.”
Having chosen to completely shut, the venue has been encouraged with a surge of interest from the public as signs of restrictions easing emerge.
“After the restrictions of stage one were lifted a lot of people have been contacting us for bookings to get out and about in the local community which has been positive,” Mr Sackman said.
“But we are in a holding pattern and will see what happens with the restrictions.
“We will need a bit of time to prepare and get things going and get staff back.
“I know they are very keen to get back to work, get back to a little bit of normality, if you will, and just see some regulars again.”
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